Purifying apparatus



H. A. ALLEN Aug. 20, 1935.

PURIFYI'NG APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 22, 1950 Aug. 20, 1935. H. A. ALLEN PURIFYING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22, 1950 I s Sheets- Sheet 2 uE er /yd. (2166/0 H. A. ALLEN Aug. 20, 1935.

PURIFYING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22, 1930 s Sheets-Sheet 5 6 1m 5 T w 5 Z j 9 m 9W J 7 W 9 5 w E a a n m 5 \6QJ5 B E Z w w m 5 5 9 H. A. ALLEN Aug. 20, 1935.

PURIFYI NG APPARATUS 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 22

VIIIIIIIIIIfI Aug. 20, 1935. H. A. ALLEN PURIFYING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22', 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 20, 1035. H A, ALLEN 2,012,070

, PURIFYI NG APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22, 1950 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Aug; 2o, 19351 PURIFYING APPARATUS I I Henry Allen, Chicago, Ill;

. Application January 22, 1930. Serial No. 422,585

lgClaims; (cram-c This invention relates in general to apparatus for mixing a plurality of fluids having 'a relative difference in density, and more particularlyto water purifying apparatus.

The mixing of waterwith air and the subse quent separation of the air from the water is prior Patent No. 1,236,645, of August 14, 1917. I have found that the air and water may bemore intimately by confining the flow of the combined water and air after it leaves the aerator head andbringing such flow to a lower level, and

this intimate mixing may be obtained without the necessity of having an excessive head of water for delivery to the aerator: by utilizing the U-tube principle in so confining the mixed water and air.

The primary object of my invention is, accord-v ingly, to provide an aeratorconstructionwherein a maximum 01f advantage is obtained'for a given head of water delivered to the aerator.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved construction found desirable from actual practice tending to adecrease in the cost of manufacture, assembly and accessibility, and

an increase in efficiency. 1 1 Other objects of this invention will beapparent as the same becomesbetterunderstood from an examination of the description and claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein; c r

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, with parts in elevation, showing an aerator (the lower half is placed to the right of the upper half because of lack of space on the drawing) located at the end of a sedimentation basin such as used in certain. iiltrationplants; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view'of the head of. the aerator;

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical section of an inlet 1 piece adapted to bereadily substituted for the inlet piece of the aeratorshown in Fig. 2; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the aerator head; j

Fig. 3 is afragmentary section taken at:the line 3 3 of Fig. 3, with parts in elevation;

Fig. 4 is'a vertical sectional View of a modification of the aerator of Fig. 1; v i

Fig. 5 is a section'taken at the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; 1 I v Fig. Sis a vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, showing a modification of the apparatus paratus supported at the bottom, instead of the top, and situated outside of the sedimentation basin instead of inside of said basin, as in'Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a similar view of another modification; Fig. 8 is a similar View of a further modification; Fig. 9 is a similarview of, a further modification; Fig. 10 is a similar View of still another-modification;

sh-own in Fig. 1, but with the lower end of the ape,

Fig. 11 is a similar view of a still further modi Fig. 12 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional View of the discharge head pieceof the modified form of apparatus shown in Fig. 11

Fig. 13 is a section taken at the line. 13 -1 301? Fig. 12.;

1Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view,

with parts in elevation, of a furthermodification; Fig. 1 5is afragmentary detail vertical sectional of aerator as shown in Fig.1; I Fig. 16 is a development View of the lower portion of the'downflow tube of-the modified 'form of discharge head shownin Fig.

Fig. 18 isa verticalsectional view, with parts in elevatiomindicating howthe dischargeend of the aerator may'have'its passages .modified to conform with agiven set of operating conditions;

7 Fig. 19 is a plan view of-a modified form of view, with partsv in elevation, of a modification I Referring to the drawings'moreparticularly,

reference character l designates generally an aerator head wherein water 2 inthe inlet chamher 3 of awaterworks "plant' is adapted to be mixed withair, as will-be hereinafteivmore'fully described. The mixed air and water is delivered toj libowlfl which formsapart of the aerator head and is delivered to'a downfiow tubeS. tube 5 eXtends-throughastufiing box 6 and gland 'i therefor in-the. bottom of the chamber The walls of the chamber 3 are preferably of conextending across the top of the chamber 3. This lifting apparatus includes a pedestal l2 supported on the channels I l, a beveled gear l3 threaded on the rod 8 and bearing against the top of the pedestal, a pinion l4 meshing with the gear i3 and mounted on a shaft 15 journaled in a bracket l5 and a hand wheel I! on said shaft l5 for causing the raising and lowering of the rod 8 to thereby adjustably raise and lower the head I. As the head I is raised and lowered, the tube 5 slides in and out of the stufiing box 6.

The stuifing box 6 is integrally formed at the upper end .of an extension [8 for the downflow portion of the downflow tube and/or extensions thereof to center the same within the upflow tube. This upflow tube is in practice made in a plurality of sections which may be suitably connected together, the upper one being flanged and connected through the intermediary of flanges 23 to the bottom 24 of a discharge chamber 25. The bottom of the tube 22 is flanged as at 26, and has bolted thereto a plate 2'! for reversing the direction of flow of the mixed air and water coming down through the downflow tube and directing the flow upwardly through the upflow tube. The plate 21 is provided with an opening 28 therein connected with a blow-off system generally designated 29 for removing sediment collecting over said plate. The upper end of the upflow tube 22 is provided with a lip 3| preferably located a short distance above the water level in a sedimentation basin 32, to which water is adapted to be delivered through an opening 33 in the floor of the discharge chamber 25. The chamber 25 is provided with an air vent in the form of an opening and pipe section 34 therefor in the wall of said chamber.

This chamber 25 may be eliminated entirely, permitting the disengaged air to discharge into space above the surface of the water in the receiving receptacle, as indicated in Fig. 10.

The aerator head I, in addition to the bowl 4 and downflow tube 5 integral therewith, as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, includes an inner bowl 35, the outer periphery of which cooperates with the inner periphery of the former bowl to form the inlet water passage for the aerator head. This inner bowl 35 has cast integral therewith a center spindle 36, its axis being concentric with both the inner and outer bowls. The upper end of the spindle 36 is drilled and internally threaded to receive a reduced threaded portion 3'! on the lower end of the previously referred to rod 8 for connecting said rod to the aerator head. The lower end of the spindle 36 is drilled and internally threaded to receive a threaded extension 38 on the upper end of a central boss or hub 39 which is connected to the downfiow tube 5 through the intermediary of integral radial ribs 4|.

Plugs 42 for casting purposes are provided on the upper surface of the bowl 35, which is cast and shoulder for a purpose which will be presently described. A nut 48 threaded on the portion 31 acts through the intermediary of a washer 49 to lock the hub 44 on the spindle 35 and to prevent unscrewing of the rod 8.

The annular channel 43 is provided with an annular cover 5! bolted thereto, which co-operates with said channel to form an annular air chamber 52. This cover is provided with an opening 53 and an air inlet piece 54 bolted to the cover at said opening. This inlet piece may be in the form of an elbow, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein it extends slightly above the water level and is adapted to be connected to the delivery end of a blower 55, or it may be in the form of a vertical cylinder 55 (shown in Fig. 2 in full lines and in Fig. 2 in dotted lines) when it is not desired to use the blower. The blower is supported on a bracket ill-integrally formed on the channel 43. The bottom of the channel 43 is provided with inner and outer annular faces 53 and 59, respectively, which are turned true at right angles to the axis of the spindle 35 and the hub 44. This permits of convenient spacing and drilling of holes in the bottom of said channel between these faces. Annularly-arranged vertically-extending tubes 6| are expanded in holes formed between the faces 58 and 59 so as to depend a predetermined distanceinto the inlet water passage formed by the bowls 4 and 35. The depth to which these tubes 6! extend into the water inlet passage may be varied by varying the number of shims 41 used. These tubes 6! are preferably made of copper, bronze or similar material not easily corroded by the action of water and other chemical material carried in suspension or in solution. These tubes are provided uniformly all around the bottom of the chamber 43. A passage 52 is drilled through the hub 39 in alignment with a passage 63 drilled in the bottom of the spindle 33. The passage '63 connects with a lateral passage 34 also drilled in said spindle and threaded to receive the lower end of piping 65. The piping E5 is adapted to deliver a chemical solution to the passage 62 for delivering this solution to the downflowing mixture of air and water. To this end the upper end of the piping 65 is connected to a funnel 66 and is supported by means of a bracket 67 on the cover 5! so as to bring thisfunnel beneath a nozzle 68 connected through the intermediary of a flexible hose G9 toa chemical feed control 7! in an orifice box 72. This orifice box 12 is connected to a chemical tank 13 through the intermediary of a tight connection "l4 and a float control valve 15 at the inlet end of said connection. As this chemical tank and attendant connections therefrom to the nozzle 58 are in themselves old and well known, they are not more particularly described. The nozzle 68 is supported by means of a bracket E5 on an arm H, which is in turn supported on a lug 78 on the inlet piece 54.

In practice, water is delivered to the chamber 3 through an inlet 19 in the wall thereof to form a water level just above the surface of the cover 5! of the aerator head. The water flows into the passage formed by the bowls 35 and 4 around the lower ends of the air tubes 6|. The water flows both from the outer periphery and from the inner periphery of said inlet, as the water may pass used. In the event the blowerv is used and the air is delivered to the chamber 56 at an initial pressure, the entrainmenttof air is facilitated.

The aerator head I may be adjusted upwardly and downwardly by the lifting gear 9 to accommodate any variations inwater level. In order to provide for a maximum of adjustment of the aerator head I up and down by .the lifting gear 9,

the superstructure on jsaid'head is positioned to register with an opening '8I at the top of the chamber 3. Y

The inletof the blower 55 may take air that has passed through an air washer, ozonator, ionizer, or from the immediately surrounding air. As

' shown in Figu hthe lower portion'of the downhow tube from the aeratorhead, here designated as 82 is provided. with an expanded end 33. The

' downflow tube to the upflowtube.

with the tube82 at the end 831s positioned a deflector piece 8'5 provided with a base in the I .84, is in the form of 'aterminal cup-shaped casting surrounding the end 83 and bolted to the tube 84 to form an efficient reversal of flow from the form of a spider 8'1, which is held' inposition by a reducing'elbow 88. This elbow 88 is bolted to the bottom of the casting 85 an'd isconnected at its discharge end to a blow-off or drain. pipe 89 through the intermediary of a drain valve 9|.

The upper end of the upflow'tube 8d in this modification is bolted to the inlet of a cylindrical head 92, providing a discharge chamber This head 92 isapertured and bolted to aflange 94 integrally, formed on the downflow tube 82 and'is provided with a flanged out1et'95 at its upper end,

forming an air vent, and a somewhat larger flanged outlet 96 atits lower end for discharging the aerated'water to the sedimentation basin or other receptacle through the intermediary of a conduit, This outlet is preferably made rectangular in cross section and is provided with weir plates 91. v

As shown in Figs. 11 to 13, inclusive, the discharge head, here designated as 98, for the upflow tube, here designated as 99, may be enlarged and held in position at the upperend of said upflow tube by means of a circular collar IDI connected to'said head by means of integral ribs )2 cast therewith. A flange I83 integrally formed on the upflow tube 99 supportsthe collar Illl, the" bottom of the sedimentation basin or other re- This results in a considerable -ad-' ceptacle. vantage, in that the time of settling the carried particles is eiiected by weight, size and depth of. traveL-whereby the precipitation of undesirable material in the water is greatly expedited.

The upper end of the head 98 is slidably connected to the downflow tube by means of a round rubber gasket 'I'Ii heldin position by a cla'mping ringfit.v f

In Figs. 8 and 9 there are shown constructions wherein the upflow tube, instead of surrounding the downflow tube and being concentric therewith, is'of substantially the same diameter and is connected to the downflow tube through the intermediary of a U-shaped casting, designated I85 in the modification shown in Fig. 8, and I06 in the modification shown. in Fig. 9. I In each of these. constructions the upflow tube is intended to In alignment 1 deliver the aerated water to the bottom of the sedimentation basin. In the construction of Fig- 8. this, is effected by mounting the aerator, together with bothlthe downflow and upflow tubes,

outside of the sedimentation 'basinandconnecting the upperend of the upflow tube through the intermediary ofanelbow llll and a pipe section I08 extending through the wall of the basin to a T-connection I09.- The upper end of the T.-connection I09. is connected toa pipe section ,III forming an air vent;, and the lower end 'of'the T-connectionIIl9 is connected to' a pipe extension H2 ,for delivering the aerated water to the bottom of the basin. a

In the construction shownin Fig. 9 the aerator, together with only the downflow tube, is mounted: outside of the sedimentation basin, and the upflow tube, here designated I I3, is supported with in the sedimentation basinand is connected to the delivery end of the U-shaped casting IE6 through the intermediary of a pipe connection I I4 I extending through thebottom of said basin. A

discharge head .I I5 for the upflow tube'is connected to the upflow tube I I 3 in the same manner that the head 98, in the construction. shown in opening, and this connection may discharge into the atmosphere or be connected to an exhaust systern or stack.- Bafiies II9, inthe form of interrupted spirals, are-integrally formed on, the up flow tube II 3 to facilitate mixing and the precipitation of any undesired material in the delivered water.

to thatof Figs. .11 to 13, inclusive, wherein the aerator is. mounted outside of the sedimentation basin and the discharge head, here designated as I2 I, is adapted to deliver aerated water indirectly through the intermediary of a pipe connection I22 and gate valve I23 to the bottom'of the sedimentation basin, instead of directly. I

vIn Fig. 14 there is shown a constructionwhich is substantially the same as that disclosed in Fig. 1, the only exception being that the lifting gear is the same as that disclosed in my aforesaid prior patent, and the inlet piece to the aerator head is in the form of an elongated cylinder I24, the lowerend of which is flanged and bolted to the opening in the cover of said head the same as the corresponding inlet piece in said Fig. 1. In the modification shown in Fig. 14,.however,

this elongated cylindrical inlet piece I24 telescopes througha stufiing box I25 and'glandlilfi therefor at the bottom of a sleeve casting I21, the

- upper end of which is provided with an integral support I28 for mounting a blower I29 adapted to deliver air to said upper end through the intermediary of anelbow casting I3I. This'arrange ment'enables the blower to be placed outsideof the aerator orreceiving chamber 3. A lug I32 and. a pipe connection II8 boltedthereto atsaid is integrally formed on the air channel I33 of the aerator head, and a guide rod I34 attached-to the extends through said lug andanother lug v I36 on the casting I21. The casting, IN is suitably sup ported at the top of the chambert. The rod I34 prevents rotational movement-of the aerator head In Fig. 7 there is shown a construction similar and keeps the piece I24 and casting alignment. a

In Fig. 15 there is shown a construction wherein the downflow tube I3! is provided in two sections which are connected together by means of a sleeve 533 which may be threaded to the respective sections or bolted thereto. The upr'iow tube I39 surrounds the downflow tube 53'! and is closed by means of a plate Ml at its lower end to effect reversal of flow. This upflow tube 39 is also provided with two sections flanged and bolted together. The lower section of the downflow tube it"! has integrally formed on its outer'periphery a plurality of battles i izpreferably in the form of interrupted and reversed spirals, as shown by the development view in Fig. 16. Similar baffles Mt'are integrally formed on the inner periphery of the upper section or" the upiiow tube. The upper endoi. the downflow tube E3! may be connected to the aerator the same as the downflow tube in the other embodiments, and the upper end I21 in of the upflow tube it!) may deliver aerated water either directly or. indirectly through the top or bottom of a sedimentation basin or other container, as in the previous embodiments.

The construction or" the upper end of the aerator shown in Fig. 15 is similar to that in Fig. 14, the only exception being that the casting here designated as Hi4, corresponding to the casting I2? in Fig. 14, is not connected directly to a blower, but is connected to receive air from an air conditioner M5. As air conditioners are well known, the air conditioner i l-ii is not more particularly described. By this arrangement the air or other gas delivered to the water may be. preliminarily treated as desired.

The construction in Fig. 18 is drawn to illustrate the-fact that when the conditions are other than those which would ordinarily obtain in watertreatment plants wherein it suffices to have the effective cross-sectional area of the downfiow column of water be substantially the same as the effective cross-sectional area of the upfiow of water in the downflow and upflow tubesrespectively, the relative efiective cross-sectional areas may be varied to meet any set of operating conditions. The'essential feature is that air or other fluid entrained in the downflowing column of.

water or other liquid is compressed onits down ward travel, reaching its maximum pressure at the bottom or lowest portion of the downflow tube. The pressure of the entrained air at this point will be dependent upon the distance between this point and the point of discharge of the upflow tube and the average weight of the mixture. The work of compression if discharged into the receiving receptacle at the bottom of the downflow tube is partly consumed in its travel to the,

surface of the receptacle and the remainder lost on liberation of the air at the surface. Where an upflow tube is provided, by the proper proportioning of. the relative eiiective areas of the tubes, taking into consideration friction and other losses due to flow, to confine the upfiow, a considerable portion of the work of compression in the downflow tube is returned by work of expansion in the upfiow tube. By useof the upflow tube not only is higher efficiency obtained, but a more intimate mixing is obtained because of a' longer period of contact.

In Figs. 19 to 22, inclusive, is shown a modified form of aerator head. This head may be connect ed to the downflow tube of any of the aioredescribed embodiments in place of the head I, and

' includes an outer bowl M6 and an integral down-:

flow tube section I41 extending downwardly from the bottom of said bowl. A central hub M8 is provided within theupper end of the tube section i4! and connected thereto by integral ribs M9. An inner bowl I51 is threaded on an extension I52 on the hub is, and its outer periphery cooperates with the inner periphery of the bowl M to form an annular inlet passage for the downflow tube section l ll. Shims E5!) on the extention E52 may be varied to raise or lower bowl liil to vary water inlet. A passage I 53 is drilled through the hub M3 and'connected with piping ltd through which chemicals in solution may be delivered to the downflow of. mixed air and water, as in the case of the aerator head in the previous embodiment. An air channel I55 is formed by an annular outside casting l56 and an inner tube ririg [51, the lower edge of the casting H55 being flanged and bolted to the lower edgeof said ring. A cylindrical casting 53 is flared at its lower end to form a cover for the aerator head, and is flanged at its lower edge and bolted to the upper edge of the casting Hi5. This cover IE3 is in the form of a spider having six arms E59 joined together at their outer ends by a circular cover plate Hi i. The plate iiil forms the intermediary by means of which the casting m8 is boltedto the casting 558. This plate I65 is bolted to the tube ring lEl.

The arms 559 are cast hollow and act to connect the central hollow portion of the casting i158 with the air channel H55. The tube ring i5! is provided throughout its entire periphery with a plurality of uniformly-spaced horizontally-extending tubes which extend into the inlet water passage for delivering air which passes from the central portion of the casting M3 through the arms 59 to the air channel 555 into the inlet water passage formed by the bowls l5! and M6. The water may pass between the arms 159 to enter the upper periphery of the water passage, as. well as from below. The upper end of the casting Q58 is closed by a cap it")?! provided with a hub 163. A rod Hi4, corresponding to the rod 8 in. Fig. 1, is secured in the hub I53 by a nut 65. The cap N55! is provided with a suitable opening and an inlet piece 166 connected to the delivery end of a blower it? mounted upon an extension plate 968 on the cap E62. In this construction it will be seen that the tube ring is continuous, the same as in the case of the aerator head i in the first embodiment. However, in this construction the parts forming the water inlet are supported from the outer perimeter of the cover casting 558, whereas the case of the head I of the first embodiment, all of the parts, including not only those forming the water inlet passages, but also the air chamber, are supported from above by a central spindle construction.

It will be apparent that the aioredescribed construction provides an eiiicient, simple and effective means for the elimination, or the pre-' paringfor elimination in other devices, in whole or in part, of impurities carried by or held in suspension in fluids, especially liquids such as water, by intimately mixing or permeating with another fluid or fluids such as chemicalized solvents, prepared effiuents, air, sulphur dioxide, or other combination of gases, and that its use is not lim-' will be apparent without further description.

I am aware that many changes may be made without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not Wish to be limited to the details shown or described.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an aspirator for combining 'a. pair of fluids having a relative difference in density, a downflow tube for convey-v ing the combined fluids to a lower level and an upflow tube of approximately the same crosw sectional area as the downflow tube communicating with the downflow tube for carrying the fluids to an intermediate level just below said aspirator.

2. Inan apparatus of the character described, the combination of an aspirator for combining a pair of fluids having a relative difference in. density,.a d'ownflow tube for conveying the com bined fluids to a lower level and an upflow tube communicating with the downflow tube for carry-- ing the fluids to an intermediate level just below said aspirator, the cross-sectional areas of the upflow tube bearing the predetermined ratio of approximately one to corresponding cross-sectional areas of the downflow'tube.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an aspirator for combining a pair of fluids having a relative difference in density, a downfiow tube for conveying, the combined fluids to a lower level and an upflow tube v communicating with the downflow tube for carrying the fluids to an intermediate level just below said aspirator, the cross-sectional area of the upflow tube for a given depth bearing a predetermined ratio of approximately one to thecross-sectional area of the downflow tube at the same depth.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle provided with an inlet adapted to receive a fluid, a second receptacle concentric with the first and adapted to deliver a second fluid into said inlet to be combined with the first fluid and a central spindle in the first receptacle for supporting said receptacles.

5'. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle provided with. an inlet adapted to receive a fluid, a second receptacle concentric with the first and adapted to.

deliver a second fluid into said inlet to be combined with the first fluid and a central spindle in the first receptacle and extending through the second receptacle for supporting said receptacles.

inlet adapted to receive a fluid, said receptacle befirst fluid as it enters said inlet.

7 through which the first fluid may pass said inlet.

ing provided also with a central spindle, a second receptacle concentric with the first andadapted to deliver a second fluid into said inlet to be com- 'binedwith the first fluid, said spindle having a passage therethrough opening into the combined fluids, and means for delivering a chemical to said the holes thereof and extending into said annular inlet to deliver a second fluid to the. first receptacle for entrainment by the first fluid as it enters by'saidring in the holes thereof and extending into said annularv inlet to deliver a second fluid to the first receptacle for entrainment by the' 10. In an apparatus for the character described, the combination of a receptacle provided with vertically spaced lips forming an annular inlet adapted to receive fluid over either lip, and a second receptacle provided with a ring having a plurality of holes therein and horizontal tubes carried by said ring in the holes thereof and extending into said annular inlet to deliver a second fluid to the first receptacle for entrainment by the first fluid as it enters said. inlet.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle provided with an annular. inlet adapted .to receive a fluid from either periphery and a second receptacle concentrio with the first and supported thereabove and 7 adapted to deliver a second fluid into said inlet to be combined with the first fluid, said second receptacle being provided with a central opening to' reach 12. In an apparatus of the character described,

inlet adapted to receive fluid, means for conveying relatively less dense fluid into said inlet toa position whereby it maybe entrained by the flrst fluid the receptacle'being provided with an outlet through which the mixed fluids are adapted to flow and means for varying'the eflective area of said inlet.

carrying the fluids to an intermediate level and a head on the discharge end of the upflow tube r r v slidably connected to the downflow tube. 1 1

I HENRY A. ALLEN.

' the combination of a receptacle provided with-an 

